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Pro: Does D.A.R.E. prevent drug use by adolescents?

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Written by Erin Gromelski, Staff Writer

“Want a beer?” a high school senior asked an underage girl at a party. She was about to accept when she remembered the dangers of drinking from her experience in the Drug Abuse Resistance Education program in elementary school.

Satisfied with her decision to remain sober, she drove home and went to bed.

D.A.R.E. was founded in 1983 to prevent the use of controlled substances by teenagers. D.A.R.E. employs specially trained local law enforcement officers to educate elementary school students about the dangers of drugs, alcohol and violent/illegal behaviors.

Although D.A.R.E is implemented in more than 75 percent of school districts in the United States, in recent years the program has come under criticism for a perceived lack of effectiveness. But do arguments against the D.A.R.E program tell the whole story?

Detractors usually claim that it simply isn’t effective, citing studies that appear to show little difference in the rate of drug use between students who participated in the program and those who did not. Even assuming that these are accurate, however, critics fail to realize that no drug prevention program is completely successful; no matter the quality of education, there will still be students who go on to use drugs. The purpose of D.A.R.E. is to help students make reasonable decisions about drugs in the face of intense peer pressure and in a drug-tolerant environment.

In fact, there are several studies which demonstrate both the popularity and efficacy of the D.A.R.E. program among students and their families. A survey by the Canadian government in 2007 showed that a significant 95 percent of 5,376 kids surveyed felt the program helped them “decide against using drugs in the future” and an even greater 99 percent of 3,095 parents surveyed showed “very positive support” for D.A.R.E. Studies criticizing D.A.R.E overlook its critical role as a support net that helps establish positive relationships among law enforcement.

officers, families and students, and often are not peer-reviewed. In addition, authors may be biased against the program and favor their own drug prevention curriculum. Finally, in response to some publications that have cast doubt on D.A.R.E.ís effectiveness in preventing drug abuse, the program has in recent years adopted a more flexible, research-based curriculum.

Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have all recognized one day a year to be National D.A.R.E. Day.  In an April 8, 2009 speech, President Obama commented on the programís value schools across the nation, saying, “Today we commemorate Drug Abuse Resistance Education a program that has worked to educate children and protect them from these problems. National D.A.R.E. Day provides the opportunity to reflect upon the dangers of drugs, gangs, and violence and to emphasize efforts to combat these threats.î

President Obama lauded the actions of D.A.R.E.’s instructors and supporters as beneficial to children throughout the United States, particularly praising their ìrenewed efforts to implement science-based programs and to strengthen partnerships among law enforcement, families, and their communities.î Other eminent politicians and public figures have continually echoed the presidentís opinion of D.A.R.E. as a program deserving of recognition and commendation.

Even though some perceive the D.A.R.E. program as ineffective and a waste of funds, the simple fact is that D.A.R.E. provides an invaluable service to communities across the United States and the globe, encouraging students to make positive decisions and to recognize the dangers of drug use and illicit behavior. The benefits of the D.A.R.E. program to both students and their families overwhelm any doubts of its efficacy in completely preventing drug use. As President Obama noted on National D.A.R.E. Day in 2009, ìThrough effective teaching methods and broad participation, D.A.R.E. can help ensure that every child in America enjoys the opportunities he or she deserves.